Austinmer toddlers Max and Ravi know without question that their two mums will love and care for them forever.

But now, in the midst of debate surrounding a postal vote on marriage equality, the little boys are hearing ‘’hurtful things’’ which is causing them to question their family unit.

Their mother Emily Gray shared her heartache in an emotional social media post this week.

‘’In the lead-up to the postal vote they have started to hear hurtful things, about how the children of gay parents are the next ‘stolen generation’, how having two mums will damage them somehow,’’ she said.

‘’Now I grew up in the Gong – born and raised, I have never felt anything other than welcomed and accepted by the people in this amazing part of the world.

‘’It was wonderful to have our relationship recognised in New York but it didn’t feel like the big life event that we’d imagined celebrating in front of our family and friends in our own country,’’ Ms Gray said.

Australians have until August 24 to cast their vote.

‘’Whichever way you’re planning to vote, I would urge you to please make sure you’re enrolled and that your details are correct,’’ Ms Gray said.

Of course the couple hopes that Australians back marriage equality, and that they can make their union official back home.

‘’It would be so great for Ravi and Max to know that their family is accepted and recognised as valid by their community,’’ Ms Gray said.

‘’How great would it be if the results of this postal vote told the government that prejudice and hate is not going to be tolerated at this time in this country.

‘’And if you don’t believe in marriage equality, for whatever reason, I invite you to come and meet my family.’’